PSG v Tottenham: Luis Enrique on Dembélé, Marquinhos, defence | OneFootball

Wednesday, during the 5th matchday of the 2025-2026 Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain (5th) will face Tottenham (10th) at the Parc des Princes (kick-off at 9pm, broadcast on Canal+). On the eve of this match, Parisian coach Luis Enrique answered several questions in a press conference.

Luis Enrique: “I can say that my defensive feeling is better.”

Dembélé ready to play tomorrow?

We’ll see tomorrow. If there’s no problem, he’ll be on the list.

Do you prefer your team’s defense this season? Can you explain?

I’m the coach, I have my feeling, with my analysis. I think if we compare with last season, I think we have 3 points less in Ligue 1, but compared to the Champions League we have more points. I can say that my defensive feeling is better. The results can change, but that’s my impression.

Luis Enrique: “If you try to find just one thing, it doesn’t work.”

Do you feel the team is missing something at the top?

It’s natural that we’re less good in the first half, because we often have the ball and the other team is fresh and their players manage to defend more. You need a good first half to have more opportunities later.

It’s a normal thing. We talk before the match especially about the difficulties in the first half. After that, there are a lot of factors. Football is complicated. If you try to find just one thing, it doesn’t work. You have to find the positives and negatives.

Luis Enrique: “I hope to have Marquinhos for many years.”

Marquinhos, how do you judge his evolution and reaching 500 matches?

Tomorrow, if Marquinhos is in the squad, he’ll play his 500th match, it’s an incredible number. It’s important. It’s nice to see a player with such a beautiful and important journey. He’s been the captain for a long time, he’s a different player, a true leader, a very important player for the team. I hope to have Marquinhos for many years.

Did the relapse against Bayern make you more cautious?

Of course, every return is difficult to manage well. We’ll be even more attentive than usual. We like having him, but we have to be careful.

Kolo Muani said his failure was his own fault, how do you explain his lack of success?

I can’t say anything, he’s an international player, of a very high level. It’s difficult for many players to be important in a team of this level. He has the level for it, but it’s hard to analyze or value him.

Luis Enrique: “The difficulty is there. If we analyze Tottenham, they are international players and a strong team.”

Can the match against Tottenham in August serve as a reference or is the context too different?

It was a match with very particular conditions. It’s a good memory, because it ended well. But it’s less good if I think about the first 60 minutes. We had a lot of difficulties. Many things have changed and I think right now we’re better prepared to be a dominant team.

But, the difficulty is there. If we analyze Tottenham, they are international players and a strong team. They started well in the Champions League. We’re back in this competition and we’re very happy, plus we’re playing with our supporters.

Luis Enrique: “It’s important for us to know that there are very young players in the Campus who can help the team.”

How do you judge the work of the academy? What quality do you like most about the Titis?

It’s important for us to know that there are very young players in the Campus who can help the team. It’s also important for them to know that there’s a possibility. Even if it’s difficult to play at PSG.

The quality, it depends on each player, each position, there are many factors. We’re not afraid to give opportunities if we see the qualities. There are still players who can help the team. It’s a very good time for the Titis and for us.

Luis Enrique: “We must dominate the match, keep the ball. That’s the objective for this match.”

Surprised by Tottenham’s approach against Arsenal? Do you expect the same?

I think they’ve changed since their match against us. Against Arsenal, they did what they wanted to do. We’re ready, in any case. I don’t think there will be a big change. We can see their idea, what they want to do. We must dominate the match, keep the ball. That’s the objective for this match.

Several players have played on the right, but none have stood out. Do you want rotation or is it a difficulty due to Doué’s absence?

I can’t think about just one absence. We have to prepare and adapt. I have to be optimistic, because many players are decisive and we score a lot. As a real team, it’s important to have different solutions in all positions. If we analyze the team’s performance at the start of the season, it’s very positive. I’m very happy.

Luis Enrique: “You have to be ready to be competitive throughout the match.”

What is the main difficulty against English teams?

It depends on each one, on their way of playing. You have to be ready to defend, know that they can play long, that there are set pieces. Every foul can be played long, they are physically strong.

But we’re used to it, we first look for players with technical quality. They have that too, they’re internationals. It’s a high-level team. You have to be ready to be competitive throughout the match.

Luis Enrique: “It’s very positive around the team and I try to stay calm.”

The importance of resilience?

I think it’s a characteristic shown by the team for 2 years. We’ve managed to overcome difficulties. It’s positive. I try to balance what you say. If you’re very positive, I’m less so. If you’re negative, I’m positive. I want balance. Right now, it’s very positive around the team and I try to stay calm.

How to compensate for Hakimi’s absence? Can you get him back before the AFCON? Otherwise, is it wise for him to be selected?

I’m the PSG coach, tomorrow we play against Tottenham. I haven’t thought about the AFCON today.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.